happy Sunday everyone. Although it’s technically the second Sunday of 2026, it actually feels like the first because we’ve officially completed our first week at work! Our annual Kitchen Trends post went up, Mal gave us the latest on her amazing 1950s kitchen, and we, of course, talked about organizing (is it January if we aren’t??). We are so grateful to be back with you all. However, this week was another devastating one in our country, and just saying that doesn’t lead to any concrete change, it’s important to continue to remind ourselves that this is not normal and to find ways to help move us in a safe direction. Despite differing personal views, we believe most of us would not want to live in a place that treats people this way. That’s all we will say on that today. For 2026 (and beyond), let’s all try to find as many opportunities as possible to be kind and loving while holding each other accountable. Okay, now for the inevitable tone change shocker… Here are this week’s links (they’re positive, we promise :))
From Emily: During a break in Montana, after failing to learn to ski again, I was taken to the hotel lodge (and spa, which was very nice) alone and was able to enjoy a few things. Y’all, I’m finally finished truth (By Colleen Hoover, of course). I started it years ago, but it was so disturbing (I can’t really read much about child deaths without high levels of anxiety), so I gave up on it and picked up Colleen Hoover’s four other novels instead (which I read later). They’re all annoying, TBH. But after the break, I was just finished home maid by Frieda McFadden (which I watched in 2 days) and loved the movie (such a blast, but lower your expectations if you haven’t read the book), and I was reminded of how entertaining a thriller is over the holidays. then i saw that truth There’s a movie coming out next year with Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett (I’m really enjoying her return – she’s much better than before!). So I went back into it and of course, couldn’t put it down. It’s still annoying, but man, it’s entertaining, and very cool.
But in the meantime, I urge you to take this People we meet on holidays Read it right now by Emily Henry if you haven’t already (although, you will read the beach She’s still my favourite). By the time this link is published, I will have seen the highly anticipated film with Emily Bader and Tom Blythe. I “met” Emily at the show my lady jane (RIP), which was an incredible show that was canceled too young (it was such BS, people loved that show and it was great – I’m blaming it on the male executives at Amazon Prime who didn’t get it). But Emily was incredible and I became an instant fan of her acting. Anyway, thank the media gods that all of our favorite books are being turned into movies or TV shows (after every summer Carly Fortune also has a TV show coming out, which I’m very excited about). If you are looking for good records, go here beach reads and bubblesWhen it comes to highly entertaining novels (romance, thrillers, and even more literary novels when I’m interested in them), I trust his taste. Speaking of which – I started reporter And need encouragement to finish (everyone praises, but oops, I got bored so quickly). And then I made it 60% solid our deathWhich was so disappointing (but so good!) that I left it because it was bothering me and I chose partner Instead by Ali Hazlewood. it reminded me wedding people -Deep darkness, but so much lightness in it, and such a strong story, but ultimately, I didn’t want to stay in that world any longer. Finally, oh my god, I can’t stop – finally I finished it’s all his fault And wow, the ending was worth the terrible writing of the first few episodes (I still highly recommend watching it once) and I finished it. hunting wives On New Year’s Day (okay, I took it on the plane back home the day before, which I don’t recommend, hahaha – the cowboy sitting behind me was either thrilled or wanted to put me in a convent). Pretty cool, but be prepared for some hot female sex. Speaking of, I’m going to dive into heated rivalry This weekend – I’m so excited. Y’all, January is my month. Zero social engagements and so much rain, so every excuse to hibernate with a good book, TV, and soup.
From Jess: I’m a pretty simple makeup person. I like a warm “natural” look with just a few products on average. But sometimes, I get really curious about a new product, and Victoria Beckman’s Satin Kajal Liner Was at the top of the list. So while I was browsing the newish French department store printemps (Be sure to check it out if you like the design, I walked away so inspired) While on vacation in New York City, I noticed they sold out her line. Naturally, I took the opportunity to try out the liner before purchasing, and oh my god, it glides on like a dream, with lots of pigmentation! And smudges beautifully (my favorite look :)) I bought the Terracotta and Bordeaux colors and love them so far. Apparently, it’s a bit important to get the VB sharpener, which I didn’t buy at the moment, so I grabbed one of those 🙂
From Arlene: My favorite purchase is inexpensive, incredibly useful, and effective. That’s why I’m starting the year by making a recommendation pumice toilet bowl stickI’m sure Jess shared a similar one about a year ago, but now is the time to discuss it again, When we moved in, I noticed a few rings in the toilet, especially in the downstairs powder bathroom, Considering this was simply the result of it sitting idle for a few months, I assumed a simple bleach scrub was all that was needed, I was wrong, Nearly three years later, the same rings are still present no matter how many times I clean my bathroom, thanks to the hard and high mineral water, Frustrated and finally wanting to take some real action, I remembered Jess’s pitch in the past, and I’m very happy to report that I now have ring-free bowls without using any harsh chemicals or getting my hands dirty, what a relief! If you have stubborn water stains you are struggling with, please don’t wait as long as I did to try this solution,
From Gretchen: I’m not sure why, but occasionally, I wake up with an excruciating headache. And no, it’s not the hangover type (although I’m no stranger to them). But I get these weird headaches at night, knowing that by morning I will wake up with severe pain. This is useless. I haven’t found the perfect cure yet (or prevention, obviously), but I’ve tried all the medications, weighted eye masks, essential oils, caffeine, hydrotherapy – you name it! A combination of these tools usually helps, but I’m always looking for a better solution. While I was trying to sleep last night, knowing that a morning migraine was coming, I looked for a new problem and suddenly I came across This acupressure matI’ve heard great things about them and the concept makes a lot of sense to me: a bed filled with tiny plastic spikes that are meant to stimulate pressure points on your body, similar to acupuncture, without all the needles, It is believed to help with relaxation, muscle tension and, for many people, chronic headaches, And at just $18 with arrival at 7am the next day, I figured it was worth a try, What else? This totally helped! Or at least, it worked great in combination with some of my other headache hacks, But once my body settled into the spikes (yes, it was a little jarring at first), everything cleared up, and I could actually feel my headache going away, I really felt a difference when I gently turned the head pillow over my forehead, Something about a cluster of small, sharp thorns seemed to work, I lay on the mat for about 10 minutes and after that I felt really refreshed, Headache or not, I will continue to use the mat, as I have definitely noticed a difference in overall body tension, and the sensation has felt very comfortable,
From Marlee: If you’re looking for ways to get off your screen this year, I highly recommend puzzlemania – This was in our gift guide, but I was gifted this for Christmas, and it’s so much fun. I love puzzles and look forward to my Mini and Wordle every day, so I was very excited to receive this book. It’s essentially just a puzzle workbook that includes tons of crosswords (all with a fun twist), little word puzzles, word searches, Sudoku variations, and tons of other mini games that will be fun to work on alone or try with your partner or friend! There’s also a giant unfolding crossword puzzle in the middle, I think I’ll tear it out and hang it on our kitchen wall so guests can help us solve it when we have people over. I’m really excited to reach for this and work on it while I drink coffee or when I’m bored. Happy solution!! <3
From Mallory: I saw some people playing the game this baseball cap Wandered around town and thought it was adorable…so when I opened a Christmas gift and inside the box was this I was thrilled!! I wear it all the time – I love it.
From Caitlin: I’m here to end this link on a sad note: My mother Brenda passed away the day after Christmas after a 10-year battle with Renal Cell Carcinoma. (Now you know why we were celebrating those bucket list trips with excitement – remember Antarctica and Australia?) It was the honor of my life to share it with you all. And I can’t thank Emily and the EHD team enough – they allowed me to step into a full-time caregiver role in Delaware at the top of 2025 without thinking twice. (And thanks to fellow millennial Dennis, who moved into my childhood home and helped run the world.) I don’t think I’ll ever be able to explain how grateful I am for his support — he gave me the gift of spending quality time with the most important woman in my life. you can check his obituary Check out her flattery here (and her ex’s Colleagues and Employees Here – his words brought the biggest smile on my face!). Everything I did was in an effort to make him proud. I was very fortunate to be his daughter.
That’s all for this week. Thanks for spending so much time with us, see you tomorrow <3
Opening Image Credit: By Design Mallory Wackerman photo by lyle nelson From: Mallory’s 1950s DIY Kitchen Makeover (You Won’t Believe This Before and After)
